Minister for Disability Services, Ray Williams has announced more than $40 million for Ability Links, a program helping people with disability connect to the community.
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Mr Williams said ensuring people with disability are supported in the early stages of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a priority for the NSW Government.
“Staff, known as Linkers, work with people with disability to connect them to a number of opportunities including employment, volunteering and education.” said Mr Williams.
Under the program, there will be 295 Linker positions across NSW including 74 Aboriginal-specific Linkers.
Bankstown local, Abrahim Darouchie, has Neuromuscular Dystrophy and joined the Ability Links program as a result of social isolation.
“Ability Links has allowed me to gain new social networks, connect with the community and use my skills to advocate on behalf of people with disability,” Mr Darouchie said.
“With the help of my Linker, I have not only been able to build my own confidence, but have put myself in a position where I can help and mentor others.”
Since 2013, thousands of people with disability, their families and carers have benefitted from the program, providing more than 129,000 service connections and more than 1 million community connections.
Linkers can help you to find ways to be a part of your local community, set goals and plan for your future, build confidence to achieve your dreams, develop your existing support networks and create new networks.
The service is available for people with disability aged 0 to 64 years.
There is no formal assessment process that you need to meet in order to use Ability Links NSW.
Your local Linker is Amber Meurs of Cowra who can be contacted via email at amber.meurs@livebetter.org.au or by phoning 0428 584 307.
For more information visit www.abilitylinksnsw.org.au.